5 club challenge

[Diamonds]

Hi guys,

Inspired by reading about the guys playing with half sets on here, I suggested to our Wednesday comp two groups that we have a 5 club challenge in this weeks comp.

I just finished and had 31 points (off 10). Had two disasters but actually played 16 decent holes.

I went with 2i, 7i, 9i, 54 and putter. Found it really liberating. No decision making, as it was apparent what my only option was. In hindsight I need a 6i instead of the 7 as the prevailing breeze had me a club short on 3 of the par 3s and I found myself 160m out plenty of time with not enough stick.

I thought I'd start a thread if anyone is keen to have a comp round under the format and post their results.

D

[3Puttpete]

7 is a full bag for me but I’ll have a crack at 5 on Sunday

[Diamonds]

7 is a full bag for me but I’ll have a crack at 5 on Sunday

What are your 7? If I was to play 7, I reckon I'd go Dr, 2i,6i, 8i, PW, 54 putter

[PerryGroves]

Its interesting how people start in golf now compared to half a lifetime ago. The standard set was 2 wood, 3,5,7,9 maybe a SW and putter, it wasn't until you got better that you started adding clubs, went to persimmon from laminated, additionally you did distances by the eye.

I've got a mate who started around 2005, always had a full set, he's a rank chopper. My favourite line is when he's about 80m out and complaining he doesn't have a club for the distance.

If my ankle ever improves, think I will go back with a 10 club bag, see how I go.

Diamonds, if I dared tinker with the bog average white course stableford, there would be a mutiny

[3Puttpete]

What are your 7? If I was to play 7, I reckon I'd go Dr, 2i,6i, 8i, PW, 54 putter

Driver, gw, sw, putter then odds or evens depending on the date. 5 hybrid, 7, 9 or 6,8,p

[Diamonds]

So the other scores were 39 (off 8], 37 [2], 36 (8], 35 (10), 34 (12), 32 (0), 32 (7). It was benign conditions, where our links course relies on wind, but pretty amazing scoring really. Maybe taking away the potential to overthink is a good thing. Bunt it up near the green and score with your short game skills?

[BUSHY]

7 is a full bag for me but I’ll have a crack at 5 on Sunday

D, 4w, 368W, 54, P is my normal bag. With the new irons I’ve been carrying them all, like choosing children

I’m playing Fri-Sun in 3 different events so I might try mix it up.

[Diamonds]

Its interesting how people start.....Diamonds, if I dared tinker with the bog average white course stableford, there would be a mutiny

On your first point, I started at 13yo and my uncle was a PGA pro who supplied me a 1 wood, 3,5,7,9 putter. I begged for years for a full set but he refused. Said it was the key to learning to play (obviously didnt help me too much 😂😂😂 but in my defence it was nevermy first choice sport either season).In regards to tinkering with the comp, we just turnedup and played with 5. The rest of the field had theirusual setups.

[3Puttpete]

D, 4w, 368W, 54, P is my normal bag. With the new irons I’ve been carrying them all, like choosing children

I’m playing Fri-Sun in 3 different events so I might try mix it up.

Any wedge higher than 64 is asking for trouble. 368 is madness

[Dotty]

Any wedge higher than 64 is asking for trouble. 368 is madness

Sounds like a cheap knockoff of a Cleveland 588.

p.s. My five would be Driver, 5w, 8i, 56 and putter.
May as well use the ones that I use most often out of the normal 14.

[BUSHY]

Any wedge higher than 64 is asking for trouble. 368 is madness

If 5 was the limit...

4w, 5, 8, Pw, pu

[FuzzyJuzzy]

3i, 6i, 9i, 54*, putter for me. That should do the trick.

[WBennett]

5 clubs, home course, blue tees? 7w, 6, P, 56, p

180, 155, 125, 100

[hippo10]

I'd go with
3w,6i,9i,52,P

[mrbluu]

7 is a full bag for me but I’ll have a crack at 5 on Sunday

Good idea, more room for beers

[Benje]

5 clubs? I would work on about 11 degrees difference.

hybrid 21, 7iron 32, Wedge 43, SW 54, putter.

6 clubs - I would add a driver.

[Jono]

I play with 9 clubs at the moment as I can carry these comfortably.

Driver, 2H, 4i, 6i, 8i, PW, 54, 60, putter.

If I was to go to 7 clubs, I’d drop the driver and 54.

To go down to 5 clubs, I’d go 2H, 6i, 9i, 60, putter.

Playing with less than 14, IMO, has added the fun back to golf for me. You figure out stuff and play shots that you wouldn’t have with 14. Being able to carry without getting back pain is a biggie too.

[Hatchman]

Who would have thought carrying less clubs creating gaps forces people to learn some sort of distance control???
No different to those that carry 4-6 Wedges thinking every shot requires a full swing. Carry 3 at the most and learn to hit the shots required for the situation will make a much better short game.

[hippo10]

Playing with less than 14, IMO, has added the fun back to golf for me. You figure out stuff and play shots that you wouldn’t have with 14. Being able to carry without getting back pain is a biggie too.

Totally agree with this. Golf is quicker, easier and more fun with less clubs. I finally summoned the courage to play a semi important round (for me) with 9 (or 10 I can't remember) and played decently whilst having a blast.

[AndyP]

Why is it quicker?

[hippo10]

I find it quicker because there's less time spent deciding on which club to hit, there's less weight to carry so I can walk faster and no parking buggies and walking back and forth etc.

[BUSHY]

I play with 9 clubs at the moment as I can carry these comfortably.

Driver, 2H, 4i, 6i, 8i, PW, 54, 60, putter.

If I was to go to 7 clubs, I’d drop the driver and 54.

To go down to 5 clubs, I’d go 2H, 6i, 9i, 60, putter.

Playing with less than 14, IMO, has added the fun back to golf for me. You figure out stuff and play shots that you wouldn’t have with 14. Being able to carry without getting back pain is a biggie too.

Glad to know you have enjoyed the experience of the goodness of <14 Jono.

[BUSHY]

I find it quicker because there's less time spent deciding on which club to hit, there's less weight to carry so I can walk faster and no parking buggies and walking back and forth etc.

All of the above. Less dicking about, can walk across greens, lighter and more nimble. Not saying 14 club players are slow (sort of) but a foursome with half sets will scoot round- kind of comes with the mentality of a half set.

[3Puttpete]

7 is a full bag for me but I’ll have a crack at 5 on Sunday

I didn’t play today but would have had 38 if I did

[AndyP]

I find it quicker because there's less time spent deciding on which club to hit, there's less weight to carry so I can walk faster and no parking buggies and walking back and forth etc.

All of the above. Less dicking about, can walk across greens, lighter and more nimble. Not saying 14 club players are slow (sort of) but a foursome with half sets will scoot round- kind of comes with the mentality of a half set.

This seems based on opinion only. I can't see where the speed gains are. I would have thought that there would be more decision making about the club/shot needed ("dicking about") if you have less clubs. You can walk across greens regardless of the number of clubs in your bag.